Calla lily plant named ‘Accent’

ABSTRACT

‘Accent’ is a new variety of calla lily having inflorescences with a purple/pink-colored spathe that produces 4-14 inflorescences per tuber. The inflorescence stems are about 35 cm in height, and the leaves are green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘ACCENT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Accent’.

‘Accent’ is a product of a planned breeding program, which had the objective of creating Zantedeschia hybrids for pot flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989, and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Black Star’ (female parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,844) with a Zantedeschia sprengeri selection referred to as C03002 (male parent, unpatented). ‘Accent’ was selected in 2006 by the inventor in 't Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Accent’ by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in September of 2008 in 't Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in a 14 cm pot at 12-14 weeks after planting in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticulture Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Accent’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Purple/Pink-colored spathe;     -   2. Compact plant architecture; and     -   3. High inflorescence production.

Further, when compared to calla lily plant named ‘Paco’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,246), the upper and lower surface spathe color of ‘Paco’ varies between Purple Group RHS N79B and N79D, while the upper surface spathe color of ‘Accent’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and N74C and the lower surface spathe color of ‘Accent’ varies between Greyed-Purple Group RHS 185C and Red-Purple Group RHS N74C. ‘Accent’ also exhibits more leaf maculation spots than ‘Paco’ and the leaf base of ‘Paco’ is decurrent, while the leaf base of ‘Accent’ is truncate. When compared to calla lily plant named ‘Sumatra’ (pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/544,260), ‘Sumatra’ demonstrates less numerous leaf maculation spots on its upper and lower surfaces than ‘Accent’. Additionally, the leaf margin color of ‘Sumatra’ varies between Grayed-Purple Group RHS 187A to 187B and the leaf margin color of ‘Accent’ varies between Group RHS 137A and 137D.

Table 1 provides similarities and differences of ‘Accent’ to its parents, Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Black Star’ and selection C03002.

TABLE 1 ‘Accent’ Similarities Differences ‘Black Star’ Spathe shape Spathe color (Between Red-Purple Group RHS 187A to Black Group RHS 202A) Plant height (50-65 cm) Leaf margin color (Between Grayed-Purple Group RHS 187A to 187B) C03002 Leaf shape Number of inflorescences (3-10) Spathe color (Pink, RHS value unknown Plant height (15-35 cm)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety at 12-14-weeks after planting, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an overhead view of a potted plant of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of an inflorescence of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a side view of a plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT THE PLANT

-   Size:     -   -   Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—8-40 cm.         -   Height of top of inflorescence above the soil.—13-45 cm.         -   Diameter.—20-35 cm. -   Form: Erect. -   Number of inflorescences per tuber:     -   -   Size 14-16 cm in diameter.—4-9 inflorescences.         -   Size 16-18 cm in diameter.—5-10 inflorescences.         -   Size 18-20 cm in diameter.—8-14 inflorescences. -   Branches:     -   -   Character.—Many (from 3-7); like the variety ‘Odessa’ (U.S.             Plant Pat. No. 18,833).         -   Color.—Between Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187B and 187C. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Width: 2-8 cm. Length: 5-25 cm.         -   Number per plant.—20-35.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Green Group RHS 137A to 137B, with             transparent White Group RHS 155A and 155C spots. Lower             surface: Green Group RHS 143A to 143B, with transparent             White Group RHS 155A and 155C spots.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Undulate; having a color of Green Group RHS 137A to             137D.         -   Veins.—Configuration: Pinnate. Color: Green Group RHS 143A             to 143C.         -   Surface quality.—Leathery.         -   Petiole.—Length: 2.5-24 cm. Color: The base is White Group             RHS 155A, and the upper part is Green Group RHS 143A to             143B. -   Roots:     -   -   Color.—White.         -   Branching.—Similar to other Zantedeschia varieties.

THE INFLORESCENCE AND SEEDS

-   Spathe:     -   -   Size—Length (measured from base opening to tip): 3.5-9 cm.             Width: 3-7 cm. Height: 3-9 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS             59A and N74C. Lower surface: Varies between Greyed-Purple             Group RHS 185C and Red-Purple Group RHS N74C.         -   Vein color.—Between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and 59B.         -   Shape.—Cupped.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Texture.—Smooth (upper and lower surfaces). -   Spadix:     -   -   Size.—Length: 15-40 mm. Diameter: 3-8 mm.         -   Color.—Between Yellow Group RHS 8A and 9B.         -   Position relative to spathe.—Upright. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Size.—Length: 5-35 cm. Diameter: 3-13 mm.         -   Color.—The upper part is between Green Group RHS 141B and             141D, and the lower part is Green-White Group RHS 157C.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix.         -   Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix.         -   Perianth.—Conspicuous.         -   Stamens.—Presence: Not visible before pollen release.             Number: More than 20. Pollen amount: Abundant and similar to             ‘Picasso’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,282), but not quantifiable             due to minute pollen size. Color: Between White Group RHS             155A and 155B.         -   Anther.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between             Yellow Group RHS 8A and 9B.         -   Filament.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between White Group             RHS 155A and 155B.         -   Pistil.—Number: 15 to 30. Length beyond perianth: About 1             mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Size: Less than 1 mm.         -   Style.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between Yellow Group             RHS 2C and 2D.         -   Ovaries.—Texture: Smooth. Length: Between 1 to 10 mm. Width:             Between 1 to 10 mm. Color: Top color is between Yellow Group             RHS 2C and 2D, bottom color is from White Group RHS 155B to             Green-White Group 157C. -   Seeds:     -   -   Length.—4-7 mm.         -   Width.—3-6 mm.         -   Color.—Between Yellow-Green Group RHS 150A and 151A.         -   Amount.—Between 1-50. -   Fruit:     -   -   Amount.—Multiple berries produced.         -   Shape.—Irregular.         -   Color.—Exhibits a main color of Purple Group RHS N77A to             N77D and a secondary color of Green Group RHS 137B to 137C.

GENERAL

-   Disease resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases noticed to     date. -   Pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to pests noticed to date. -   Heat tolerance: No heat tolerance. -   Hardiness: Not hardy. -   Flowering: Tubers planted in a greenhouse in The Netherlands in     February produce inflorescences in April. Tubers planted outdoors in     The Netherlands in May produce inflorescences in July. In general,     the time from planting to first flowering takes eight weeks.     However, tubers stored for a longer period before planting may     flower earlier — up to five weeks after planting. -   Lastingness: About two weeks on the plant. -   Fragrance: None. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘Accent’ as herein described and illustrated. 